Students in Focus: Senior reflects on time at CU, looks ahead

For most seniors, their final year probably comes with a mix of bittersweet emotions ranging from excitement to anxiety and everything in between. Whatever you are feeling or going through, chances are, you’re not alone.

Senior Class Council sat down with senior Tiara Stephan to get an inside look at how our seniors are doing. Originally from Greenwood Village, Stephan is dual majoring in psychology and political science. Here, she dishes on what she’s up to this year, plans for after graduation and advice for freshmen in their first semester.

Tiara Stephan

How is senior year going so far?

It’s been going alright! I finally feel like I’ve managed to gain some sort of balance between school, work, extracurriculars and life. Took me three years to make my priorities actually priorities, but here we are!

Are you involved with any organizations or work on campus?

When I’m not in class, you can probably find me working as a digital communications assistant for CU Presents. After the regular work day is over, I’m a senior editor for the CU Boulder Her Campus chapter; a co-founder and the director of communications for Mixed CU; and a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed community service fraternity. My schedule is pretty full, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Do you have any tentative plans for after graduation?

I wish I could give you something a little more specific than get a job and move to the East Coast, but that’s about all I’ve got at this point. I take great comfort in knowing that quite a few people are in the same boat and the feeling that everyone already has it all together isn’t necessarily true.

What are you most excited about for your last year at CU? What are you nervous about?

I think the answer to both of those questions is graduating. I’m excited to get out and see what life outside of academia looks like, but, of course, that comes with a lot of uncertainty and struggle, too. I’m trying to keep my plans loose and my expectations moderated, so I can be ready for whatever twists and turns are on the horizon.

Since you’re now in your final year, do you have any advice for freshmen in their very first semester of college?

Probably just to know where your priorities lie and to make sure your priorities bring you some sort of joy on some level, whether it’s building relationships with people, getting eight hours of sleep a night or challenging yourself to take on leadership positions in organizations.

Academics have always been a huge priority for me, as they should be; but I’ve found a lot of my personal growth has come from being involved in my community and living life outside of classes. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!

Aspen Heidekrueger was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 12. Now cancer-free, the CU Boulder junior has designed and built a blog to spread cancer awareness and offer advice and encouragement to patients and survivors. Read more